Temptation (The Hunted, #1)(48)

Monday

"You look breathtaking, Penny. I don't understand how everything I own looks better on you."

I could feel my face blush. When I reached him, he grabbed my hand and twirled me around. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt just like the one I was wearing. I couldn't help but realize how normal this was. And comfortable.

I laughed. "It smells amazing. What are we having?" I sat down on a stool at the island in his kitchen.

"One of the only things I know how to make. Vodka chicken."

"That sounds fantastic. So, if this is the only thing you know how to make, do you usually order out?" I let my chin rest in my hands. The granite countertop was cold on my elbows.

"Rarely."

I laughed. "What, do you have a personal chef or something?"

"Yeah." He opened the oven and peered inside. "Almost ready."

"Why do you never volunteer information? It's like I have to force it out of you."

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry. I'm not used to people asking me questions that aren't going to be used for articles or something. I've gotten good at giving very vague answers. If you'd like to ask me a few questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them for you."

He grabbed two plates, two sets of silverware, and two glasses. He already seemed to be avoiding a question and I hadn't even asked him anything yet.

"I can do that." I slid off the stool and grabbed the dishes from his hands. "Here, or in the dining room?"

"The dining room is good."

I finished setting the table as he came over. "And now for the last part of your ideal date." He uncorked a bottle of champagne and poured me a glass. "I think that covers everything. So how did I do? Was today worth skipping class for?"

"I'd do anything to spend more time with you. Today was absolutely magical." I held up my glass. "And here's to getting to know each other better tonight."

He laughed and clinked his glass against mine. I took a sip of the champagne. I had never even tasted champagne before, but I liked it.

"So," I said and sat down. "How long have you lived in this apartment?"

He sat down across from me. "Ever since I started working at the university."

I looked around again. "So why aren't there any decorations? There isn't a single picture anywhere."

"I wasn't sure how long I'd be staying for."

"Why?" I could tell he was starting to get uncomfortable. He shifted in his chair.

"Like I told you before, I needed a change. But I wasn't sure if the change would be permanent."

"Do you still think you'll go back to New York?" I didn't want to lose him. Whatever this was between us, I didn't want to picture it ending. We had only just started dating.

The timer on the oven went off.

"There's nothing left for me in New York." His expression grew dark. He got up and went back into the kitchen. He grabbed the casserole dish with a pair of potholders and brought it back to the table. Why did he look mad at me? He told me I could ask him a few questions. He put a scoop of the dish on my plate. It was penne noodles, chicken, and vodka sauce.

I didn't pick up my fork. "So, the move is permanent now?" I held my breath as I waited for his answer.

He gave me a smile. "I believe so."

Yes! "What made you change your mind?"

"You."

I looked down at my plate. He was probably just joking, but I felt my face blush regardless. I laughed awkwardly and took a bite of the vodka chicken. "This is delicious."

"Thank you."

I looked up and he was staring at me.

"Do you have any more questions for me, Penny?"

"Only a million more."

He laughed.

"Tell me about your family."

He finished chewing a bite of food. "Well, I have an older sister and a younger brother."

"Tell me about them."

"My sister lives in New York." Professor Hunter finished off his glass of champagne and poured himself another.

"And what does she do?"

"She's a writer."

"Has she written anything that I may have heard of?"

"Probably not."

I wasn't sure whether I should be offended or not. I decided not to dwell on it. He was probably just uncomfortable answering all these questions. "And what about your brother?"

"The last time I heard from him, he was in Costa Rica."

"Wow. What does he do there?"

"Nothing as far as I know. He's been taking time off to travel."

"Well that's fun." Professor Hunter looked so uncomfortable. He must not have been close with his brother. I decided to change the subject. "And your parents?"

"What about them?" His voice was so tense. He clearly did not want to talk about his family. But I wanted to know more.

"Well, where are they?"

"I'm not close with my parents."

"That's a shame."

He laughed. "No, it's not." He shifted in his chair. "And what about your family, Penny?"

I was about to ask why he was fighting with his parents, but he had avoided my next question with a question of his own. "I'm an only child. Growing up, I was really close with my parents. But not as much since I started college."